Although the Paxtons exhausted every avenue, they were ultimately deemed ineligible for government assistance or help from private foundations because of income level.

The experience has left the Paxtons seeing a system of haves and have-nots, where hearing assistance is deemed more critical for some people.

"I'm not saying Medicaid shouldn't pay for hearing aids," Norm Paxton said. "I think it is great they do. But I feel if it is good enough for the federal government to think it is important, shouldn't insurance companies as well?"

Matt Knotts, an advocate with the Disability Law Center, said it has successfully forced government health programs to provide additional coverage for hearing-impaired children, but the battle with private insurance companies has been more difficult.

"It is an issue that can be addressed by technology, but they are not willing to do it. It continues to be overlooked. It's frustrating."

Industry critics also find it ironic and a bit disheartening that a company, Veterinary Pet Insurance, offers just over $700 per calendar year in hearing assistance for cats and dogs of owners who have bought a policy for their pet. The condition cannot be pre-existing, but eligible beneficiaries get coverage for hearing aids, tests and any necessary anesthesia.

"It's incredible," Norm Paxton said.

He and others believe the insurance plans do not offer coverage for hearing aids because:

• Private plans model coverage after Medicare, which has historically not covered hearing aids.

• The loss of hearing is considered a natural process of aging and covering that would break coverage providers.

• Hearing aids of years ago weren't that effective anyway and are largely considered cosmetic.

"I think, historically, people would get a lot of amplification from hearing aids without clarifying sound enough, so people were still struggling so much," said Katherine Evans, president of the Salt Lake chapter of Self Help for the Hard of Hearing.

"The changes we've seen recently with technology are allowing people to hear more clearly."

But with changes come cost — and those in the insurance industry view such coverage for a rapidly growing senior population with dismay and worry that covering a benefit for one population will mean covering it for all.

"The market is so incredibly price sensitive, we are being told to take away benefits rather than add them," said Kevin Bischoff, vice president of public and corporate affairs of Regence BlueCross BlueShield.

Regence, like the other major private health insurance plans in Utah, doesn't cover hearing aids.

"We have not had a lot of demand for hearing issues," Bischoff said.